New York Madness: why the Knicks shouldn’t trade for Carmelo Anthony

In the three-team package, the Knicks would be giving up Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract. That would seem too good to be true, and one person familiar with talks said there could be other pieces involved.

"I don’t think we have anything going, but we’re getting a feeling for possibilities,” Walsh said before the Knicks played the 76ers at the Garden. "We have a better feeling for what’s going to happen.” In Donniespeak, that means things have progressed, with the trade deadline still a very long 19 days away. The Nuggets would get a first-round pick, Chandler and Minnesota’s Corey Brewer, but the feeling is they would have to gain more for this deal to take place.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Trading for Carmelo Anthony makes as much sense for the New York Knicks as re-hiring Isiah Thomas.

Maybe less.

After all, Anthony wants to suit up for the Knicks. He’ll take less of everything – shots, cold hard cash, and spotlight- to call Madison Square Garden home.

Why give up an expiring contract, Eddy Curry, and two young assets, Wilson Chandler and Anthony Randolph, when Anthony will sign as a free agent and cost nothing but money?

Speaking of money, Anthony will cost less as a free agent. Suppose the Knicks acquire Melo before the February 24th deadline. They would need to honour the final year of his max contract and extend him under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement.

So Anthony would make $18 million in 2012 and possibly $20 million per year from 2013 to 2016.

Suppose the Knicks hold off on a trade. To become a free agent, Anthony would have to opt-out of the last year of his current contract and leave $18 million on the table.

His next contract would fall under the new CBA, which will reduce all player salaries –even those paid to superstars.

Waiting for Anthony would cost the Knicks far less in terms of assets and money. It’s the smart, prudent move.